Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

What we think, can alter and shape our world to a better place. EVERYTHING in life starts with our mindset.

A person’s mind is so powerful, we can invent, create, experience, and destroy things with thoughts alone. It starts with our belief system.

The mind is the mental reasoning, or understanding is in itself neutral. What it is exposed to is what matters. It performs the process of discrimination between good and evil, and so supplies the data to conscience.

“The mind” is not just only our “conscience;” The “renewed mind,” or the mind acting under the influence of the Spirit.

First, of deciding what the will of God is; and, secondly, of choosing and acting upon it. RIGHT ACTION

The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change in us into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.

OLD NATURE: The old way of thinking has not gone away. Many still struggle with temptations in their mind, bitterness, depression, fear, hopelessness, frustrations, problems.

But the battle still rages in the mind.

God’s Part vs. Our Part

God’s Part

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Three gifts are promised by God for every true Christian-a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a spirit of self-discipline. we take, and apply.

Much of what we think about is directly connected to what we are feeding into our mind. And what goes into your mind affects your whole life.

Do you say, “I am not creative, I am not athletic, or I am not a math person?

GOD DIDN’T CREATE JUNK, stop putting God in a box and limiting Him in your life and how to change.

We are not chained to our current capabilities. We have the ability to change and neuroscience tells us that our brain can change it gives us a new look of renewing your mind.

Famous people who were told they could not be anything. Sylvester Stallone, Lucille Ball, Einstein

Dani Johns – raised on welfare, abused at 3, pregnant at 17, homeless at 21 – but at age 23 millionaire. She tells people who the poverty beginning wasn’t going to take hold of her mind.

Physiological Manifestation to Mindset:

FIXED OR GROWTH

People in a fixed mindset believe you either are or aren’t good at something, based on your inherent nature, because it’s just who you are.

People in a growth mindset believe anyone can be good at anything, because your abilities are entirely due to your actions.

In a fixed mindset, you believe “She’s a natural-born singer” or “I’m just no good at dancing.”

In a growth mindset, you believe “Anyone can be good at anything. Skill comes only from practice.”

The fixed mindset believes trouble is devastating. …Give up now.”

The growth mindset believes trouble is just important feedback in the learning process.

In a fixed mindset, you want to hide your flaws so you’re not judged or labeled a failure. Failures define you.

In a growth mindset, your flaws are just a TO-DO list of things to improve, failures are temporary setbacks. .

In a fixed mindset, you stick with what you know to keep up your confidence.

In a growth mindset, you keep up your confidence by always pushing into the unfamiliar, to make sure you’re always learning.

In a fixed mindset, you look inside yourself to find your true passion and purpose, as if this is a hidden inherent thing.

In a growth mindset, you commit to mastering valuable skills regardless of mood, knowing passion and purpose come from doing great work, which comes from expertise and experience. Leaders who want feed back if they have a growth mindset.

In a fixed mindset, you believe if you’re romantically compatible with someone, you should share all of each other’s views, and everything should just come naturally.

In a growth mindset, you believe a lasting relationship comes from effort and working through inevitable differences.

In a fixed mindset, it’s all about the outcome. If you fail, you think all effort was wasted.

In a growth mindset, it’s all about the process, so the outcome hardly matters.

Fixed mindset:

The brain becomes most active when receive information how the person performs (grade or score)– worries about what others will say with judgement – see growth as an effort as a bad thing, incapable so they lose interest or withdraw to protect ego (lack of motivation)

Growth mindset: Brain becomes most active when receive information – What they could do better next time, – focus most on learning – see effort as a way to grow – set backs are a part of growth and move on

Dr. Preformed a test: had children to do a set of puzzles and praised the kids

Fixed: “That is a good score, you must really good at this”

Growth: “That’s a good score, you must have tried really hard” (focus on the process)

When they asked the kids again to do a puzzle easy or hard – Fixed chose easy and Growth chose hard.

They all received the same puzzle. Results: Fixed scored very low and even lied about their scores because they couldn’t cope with their failure, however the growth actually did better.

States of mind or life perspectives are developed in one’s childhood environment and passed down from generation to generation.

Kids: How often do we tell our kids “You are a winner – cause you won” – fixed mindset – so when they lose, they believe they are a loser.

Our mindset is shaped basically from age 0-6 as we get approval or disapproval from our parents. GENERATION TO GENERATION – children are replicas of parents because of this.

Recognize that it is a fact and neuroscience is proven

Understand you can change because of God

Listen to God, listen to what you say to yourself and when you talk to yourself do it with a growth mindset with growth statements.

Beliefs are the blending of logic and emotions

Once established, beliefs are accepted as fact . They become our “personal operating system.” Believe in Santa/Tooth Fairy

Much like the operating system on your computer, our beliefs control how we sort and file every bit of input data.

Everything we see, experience, think and feel is adjusted to fit with our beliefs.

Our version of reality is a creation of our beliefs. We conform to what we believe.

Maids exercise – Questionaire to maids – they believed they were burning more calories equivalent to exercising and they lost weight

Shakes given to people – same shakes ( sense shake vs indulgence shake) given to people different times (what we believe, think, what we expect to determine our body response) some lost weight with the sense shake because they believed they would

Work/Stress – (3 min video clips. MINDSET OF STRESS? Media tells us that stress us horrible – but if we look it as truth of stress is just uncertain. Our mindset determines our response. (video clips were given to half the group stating positive stress can be such as energy alertness, etc (reports: higher performance – sleeping better etc due to stress as positive)

Our mindsets determine our response to anything and everything we do in life.

Believing to be true….. our beliefs determine our response. HOW DO WE SHIFT OUR MINDSET?

That’s what’s holding you back from God’s best. John 10:10 Life more abundantly

Why Is a Poverty Mindset So Destructive – It is because it is FIXED

A poverty mindset is incredibly destructive because it puts us in the role of helpless victim.

AS Joyce Meyers says “You can be pitiful or you can be powerful, but you can’t be both.”

God wants us to be powerful spiritual warriors. And he wants us to prosper, not play the victim.

The ENEMY tempts us to sit back as spectators to our own destiny AS We believe everything that happens to us is the result of outside forces and that we have no control over our lives or we say.

God is in control, so I’m sure He’ll figure everything out eventually and make my life better.”

4 Signs You Have A Poverty or Fixed Mindset

Clue #1: Blame

You blame the economy, you blame the government, you blame the stock market, you blame your employer (or your employees You blame your parents. You blame your spouse, you blame your kids. You blame your genes or your thyroid’s or hormones and even your temperament.

Or you justify your situation by saying you “don’t really care”. Ignore the bills…You justify being broke by saying, “Money isn’t important,”.

Not a single missionary can remain on the field without money. Not a single medical facility can operate without money. No church can keep it’s doors open without money.

God told Abraham: “I will surely make you prosper” Genesis 32:12

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered Genesis 39:2

Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper. Deut. 5:33

The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground Deut. 28:11

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Well, you get the idea. I could go on listing verses. But the message is clear. Faith and diligence bring prosperity not poverty. Period.

When are we going to stop throwing God under the bus, limit Him and limit ourselves.

Clue #3: Complain

Complaining is the absolute worst possible thing you could do for your health: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, relational and yes, even financial.

There is a universal law that says, “What you focus on expands.” That’s why God commands us to focus on the positive (Phil. 4:8) . When you are complaining, what are you focusing on? What’s right with your life or what’s wrong with it? You are obviously focusing on what’s wrong with it and since what you focus on expands, you’ll keep getting more of what’s wrong.( YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF LONELY BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR NEGATIVITY.

Clue #4: There is no personal development in your life. While this doesn’t apply to everyone, a lot of people “suffering” from poverty don’t spend time to work and better themselves. Instead of investing their time on something that will give them a return, they spend money on things that will only make them feel better in the present moment.

HOW TO GET OUT OF POVERTY FIXED MINDSET:

WATCH: those who you admire and wish to become, it allows you to pick up their behaviors, values, and even their visible ethics.

Stop believing that there is someone, or something, out there that will magically guide you out of bad financial times into good ones.

Take personal responsibility

Realize that nothing is owed to you. However realize that God has created you therefore your belief of limitations is limitless.

Cultivate an environment for success…you become who you are around. If you spend a lot of time with people consumed with meaningless things, you will get meaningless results.

Motivate and inspire others. In return, this allows us to gain new personal development skills and mentalities.

According to the Bible, our identity is not found in what we possess, it is found in who possesses us. Our lives are hidden in Him and the actions that we take are actions of faith. We are not identified by our meager possessions nor or we chained to our current capabilities, we are identified by our Father–who created us to be a reflection of Him and I know He doesn’t have a limited belief nor did He create junk. .

Verse 1 says that we should present our bodies — that is, our whole active life — as a living sacrifice which is our spiritual service of worship. So the aim of all life is worship. That is, we are to use our bodies — our whole lives — to display the worth of God and all that he is for us in Christ. Now it makes perfect sense when verse 2 says that, in order for that to happen, our minds must be renewed. Why? Because our minds are not by nature God-worshiping minds. They are by nature self-worshiping minds. That is the spirit of our minds.

The term “the will of God” three biblical meanings.

First, there is the sovereign will of God, that always comes to pass without fail.

Second, there is the revealed will of God in the Bible — do not steal, do not lie, do not kill, do not covet —

And third, there is the path of wisdom and spontaneous godliness — wisdom, where we consciously apply the word of God with our renewed minds to complex moral circumstances, and spontaneous godliness where we live most of our lives without conscious reflection on the hundreds of things we say and do all day.Romans 12:2.

Mentally first then fruit on the outside. “Transform” So transformation is a profound, blood-bought, Spirit-wrought change from the inside out.

Regardless of temperment/environment/how we were raised etc….

When it comes down to it, positive, optimistic people are happier and healthier, and enjoy more success than those who think negatively. The key difference between positive and negative is how what we think about and interpret the events in life.

Research is beginning to reveal that positive thinking is about much more than just being happy or displaying an upbeat attitude. Positive thoughts can actually create real value in your life and help you build skills that last much longer than a smile.

Positive and negative thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies: What we expect can often come true. Persistent negative thinking can cause mental health problems, including depression.

The first step in controlling your thoughts is awareness.

Identify your negative thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy practitioners believe that we have the ability to change our behavior by changing our thoughts. Thoughts are the catalyst that lead to behaviors.

The first step in changing negative thinking is to become aware of it. For many of us, negative thinking is a bad habit – and we may not even know we’re doing it!

SIGNS OF A NEGATIVE PERSON:

Negative people rarely know what they stand for; they only know what they stand against. If the person you’re dealing with isn’t “for” anything positive, they likely have a negative worldview.

Compliments are usually followed by the word “but”. A positive person (and even a neutral person for that matter) can give a compliment. Negative people can’t. What starts out positively (“I really enjoyed the event today”) is inevitably followed by a “but” (“but had they turned the volume down and shortened the message it would have been better.”)

They aren’t accomplishing much with their life. Truly negative people rarely accomplish anything great. Because they are against so much, few people want to work with them. Stalled out careers, a history of frequent job changes, financial trouble and other similar markers often characterize negative people.

They have no vision for the future. A negative person is almost never excited about the future. They have no compelling vision for what should be. They can just tell you why your vision is wrong. When you ask them for alternatives, they rarely have original or well-thought-out ideas.

People who are negative have an issue with pride. They think they are better and smarter than you and by how they talk down at you makes them feel good and it puffs up their oversized ego. Their comments aren’t there to help you; they are there to make you feel inadequate and dumb. When they make you feel dumb, they feel superior and that is where all of this negativity fester from.

Quick TEST:

New Job: (do you think “what if I can’t do this or am I good enough?)

Exercise (do you think pain, change, time, discipline – or my body is going to look great and I can be healthy to live longer) Or, if you feel bad about not exercising or not eating healthy, all you think about is how little willpower you have, how you’re lazy, and how you don’t have any motivation.

Vacation (do you think $$ wasted, work to pack & plan or let’s go and relax and have good time)

Let go from job ( it must have been something I did, or wasn’t good enough or the company is going thru a slump)

Call/email from someone you don’t talk to often (what do they want or try to sell me something or I can’t wait to connect to them.

The waitress brings you a water instead of a tea, do you complain about it so much that everyone at the table knows about it, and get them to bring you another one or do you just drink your water and think it’s no big deal?

Do you think about her day? Do you try to understand the other person first without getting upset cause you didn’t get what you ordered?

DO YOU HAVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE BRINGING YOU DOWN?

When you see anyone’s name come up on your caller ID, you get an immediate emotional reaction to it. Sometimes you’re thrilled to see the name and can’t wait to take the call. Other times you’re neutral. But sometimes you wince. Whether it’s a phone call, a text or an email, you respond negatively and quietly think “oh no.” That’s a sign that the person’s overall influence in your life has been negative, not positive.

We all have negative moments in our life….

Even DAVID was negative especially when he had his “pity party” moments, yet he still knew who to call upon for help. As Christians we may have our faults and our times of negativity due to the circumstances, however we must keep the faith of knowing where our help comes from.

Definition: Negative thinking is the tendency to take the most unfavorable view of situations, or to expect the worst outcome in any circumstances; the practice of looking on the gloomy and dark side of things.

Positiveness is optimism; the tendency or habit of seeing and expecting the good in things; looking on the bright side; anticipating favorable results; hopefulness.

Bible says a lot about negative thinking….

Giving place to negative thinking only bears bad fruit.

Proverbs 23:7 [If you give place to negative thoughts, you will become a negative person.] For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 15:13 [Sad and negative thoughts weaken our spirits and lead to discouragement.] By sorrow of the heart, the spirit is broken.

Luke 6:45 [Those whose hearts and minds are filled with negative thoughts usually spread them by voicing them.] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Romans 8:6,7 [Negative thinking is not walking in “newness of life,” but in the old carnal nature which is against God.] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity [hostile] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [See also Eph.4:17.]

Hebrews 12:15 [Harboring negative, critical thoughts can lead to bitterness.] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

WE CAN CONTROL OUR THOUGHTS

Eph 4:21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Take every one of your thoughts (beliefs, imaginations, dreams, and ideas) captive to the obedience of Christ. (II Corinthians 10:5)

Since all of your emotions, words and actions originate in your mind and heart, you can wake up every morning with the assurance that you have the power to control how you feel, what you say and how you act all day long.

No one is a victim. Guard your heart; you are what you think. (Proverbs 23:7) Also, whatever thoughts you sow into your mind, you will reap the consequences. (Galatians 6:7) You become what you think!

Spend a few seconds reflecting on what you are today and what you have. Everything about you is the result of what you have been thinking your whole life.

Day dreaming is thinking, planning is thinking, imagining is thinking, reacting to circumstances is thinking and wishing things could have been different for you is thinking. Your beliefs are your thoughts grouped together over many years.

One of the greatest truths in life: It’s not what happens to you (your past, present or future circumstances) or what people do or say to you that cause your emotions.

Your emotions come from what you think about after things happen to you! You control all of your emotions by what you think. Emotions are simply data telling you what you have been thinking.

YOUR THOUGHTS PRODUCE ACTIONS – PRODUCE HABITS – PRODUCE YOUR DESTINY

WHERE ARE YOU GOING RIGHT NOW?

Also, listen to your words and watch your actions and let them tell you what your heart looks like.

We can over ride any past thoughts and transform my life by the renewing of my mind

No one controls how you think and thus, no one has the power to control how you feel, speak or act any longer.

You are never the victim of others or circumstances.

What Negative Thoughts Do to Your Brain

Let’s say that you’re walking through the forest and suddenly a tiger steps onto the path ahead of you. When this happens, your brain registers a negative emotion — in this case, fear.

Researchers have long known that negative emotions program your brain to do a specific action. When that tiger crosses your path, for example, you run. The rest of the world doesn’t matter. You are focused entirely on the tiger, the fear it creates, and how you can get away from it.

In other words, negative emotions narrow your mind and focus your thoughts. At that same moment, you might have the option to climb a tree, pick up a leaf, or grab a stick — but your brain ignores all of those options because they seem irrelevant when a tiger is standing in front of you.

This is a useful instinct if you’re trying to save life and limb, but in our modern society we don’t have to worry about stumbling across tigers in the wilderness. The problem is that your brain is still programmed to respond to negative emotions in the same way — by shutting off the outside world and limiting the options you see around you.

For example, when you’re in a fight with someone, your anger and emotion might consume you to the point where you can’t think about anything else. Or, when you are stressed out about everything you have to get done today, you may find it hard to actual start anything because you’re paralyzed by how long your to–do list has become.

In each case, your brain closes off from the outside world and focuses on the negative emotions of fear, anger, and stress — just like it did with the tiger. Negative emotions prevent your brain from seeing the other options and choices that surround you. It’s your survival instinct.

What Positive Thoughts Do to Your Brain

Fredrickson tested the impact of positive emotions on the brain by setting up a little experiment. During this experiment, she divided her research subjects into 5 groups and showed each group different film clips.

The first two groups were shown clips that created positive emotions. Group 1 saw images that created feelings of joy. Group 2 saw images that created feelings of contentment.

Group 3 was the control group. They saw images that were neutral and produced no significant emotion.

The last two groups were shown clips that created negative emotions. Group 4 saw images that created feelings of fear. Group 5 saw images that created feelings of anger.

Afterward, each participant was asked to imagine themselves in a situation where similar feelings would arise and to write down what they would do. Each participant was handed a piece of paper with 20 blank lines that started with the phrase, “I would like to…”

Participants who saw images of fear and anger wrote down the fewest responses. Meanwhile, the participants who saw images of joy and contentment, wrote down a significantly higher number of actions that they would take, even when compared to the neutral group.

In other words, when you are experiencing positive emotions like joy, contentment, and love, you will see more possibilities in your life. These findings were among the first that proved that positive emotions broaden your sense of possibility and open your mind up to more options.

TALK ABOUT LEAVING A LEGACY! You create the environment. That is power in your thoughts!

GREAT TIPS TO BECOME MORE POSITIVE PERSON

Keep a gratitude journal.Remind yourself of your blessings.

Focusing on the positive.Push out all feelings that aren’t positive. When you hear the voice in your head say something negative, take a pause and substitute the negative for something positive.ONLY focus on the good things in your life. Realize that your thoughts do not own you. Stop letting negative thoughts control you.

Only use positive words when talking. Stop CURSING your self!

Practice positive affirmation. One of the most popular positive thinking exercises is positive affirmation. This means you repeat a positive phrase to yourself on a regular basis like “I deserve to be happy” or “I am worthy of love”. Believing that these things are true, and reminding yourself of it can help give you a more positive outlook on life.

Let go of the past. It does not determine your future so why focus on it? If you feel yourself ruminating on the past make a conscious effort to take your thoughts in another direction.

Remember things could be worse. Understand that the situation is not forever.

LOOK at your circumstances as an opportunity.Look at the big picture. Visualize a successful outcome.

Relax and let things happen. See it from another point of view.

Avoid negative people.

Do something nice.

Avoid laying blame. So the water bill didn’t get paid. You could get mad and start a fight with your spouse or roommate. Or, you could let it go, take it in stride and work together to remedy the situation.

Concentrate on breathing. When things just seem to be too much to deal with, try concentrating on simply breathing.

Find something to laugh about.

Face up to change.

Focus on finding a solution. Don’t wallow in your problems. Instead, work towards finding a solution and getting them resolved. You’ll be able to feel proactive and feel in control of your life.

Believe the world is a good place.

Stop making excuses. Take control of your decisions.

Don’t play the victim. Bad things happen to everyone from time to time. Pitying yourself and wanting others to feel sorry for you isn’t going to make things better. Pick yourself up and start working towards a happier future.

Don’t place your future in someone else’s hands. Your future is yours alone to shape. Remember this and take control of where you’re going in life.

Create realistic goals.

Choose joy. Every day when you wake up you make the choice whether to be happy or miserable.

Believe you deserve good things and know who you are in Christ. If you don’t truly believe that you deserve good things in your life you likely aren’t going to encounter many. Believe that you are worthy for good fortune to come your way and it just might.

Sometimes all it takes to feel good is to put a smile on your face. Practice putting on a happy face even when you just feel so-so.

Positive thinking usually attracts positive people, events, and outcomes. If you want to create an environment where you’re successful and satisfied, you’ll need the power of positive thinking on your side and that comes with renewing your mind with God’s Word and having Jesus centered in your life.

Our life becomes a spiritual act of worship and displays the worth of Christ above the worth of the world, when we allow him to renew our mind. Are you ready to put that into action? Leave a comment below and let me know your great tips!

A psalm of David. O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

Vs 13: You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

MIRACLE OF LIFE

In every cell in your body is a copy of you. The human body consists of 60 thousand billion cells of which nearly every single cell contains our entire genetic information, the DNA. Inside the cell, DNA is found inside and outside the nucleus. Our children are our legacy through DNA but also through actions, beliefs and lifestyle as they continue to grow.

The pattern in DNA is not like a language it is a language. It is a coding and decoding system. DNA is the carrier of our genetic information, and is passed down from generation to generation.

At conception, a person receives DNA from both the father and mother. We each have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Of each pair, one was received from the father and one was received from the mother. These 23 pairs of chromosomes are known as nuclear DNA because they reside in the nucleus of every cell in our body.

The 23rd chromosome is known as the sex chromosome. As with the other chromosomes, one is inherited from the father, and one from the mother. The 23rd chromosome from the mother is always an X. From the father, a person either inherits an X chromosome or a Y chromosome. The chromosome inherited from the father determines their gender.

We also inherit our mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA, from our mother, and none from our father. Mitochondrial DNA is located outside the nucleus of the cell.

So each of us inherits our mtDNA from our own mother, who inherited her mtDNA intact from her mother, and so on back through the generations – hence mtDNA’s popular name, ‘the Eve gene’.

Ultimately, every person alive today has inherited their mitochondrial DNA from one single great-great-great-. . .-grandmother, nearly 200,000 years ago.

However, if all the Eve chromosomes in the world today were an exact copy of that original Eve mtDNA, then clearly they would all be identical.

When mtDNA is inherited from our mother, occasionally there is a change in one or more of the ‘letters’ of the mtDNA code – about one mutation every thousand generations. The new letter, called a point mutation, will then be transmitted through all subsequent daughters. Although a new mutation is a rare event within a single family line, the overall probability of mutations is clearly increased by the number of mothers having daughters.

So, within one generation, a million mothers could have more than a thousand daughters with a new mutation, each different from the rest. This is why, unless we share a recent maternal ancestor over the past 10,000 years or so, we each have a slightly different code from everyone else around us.

It was in 1953 that James Watson and Francis Crick achieved what appeared impossible—discovering the genetic structure deep inside the nucleus of our cells.

A teaspoon of DNA, according to molecular biologist Michael Denton, could contain all the information needed to build the proteins for all the species of organisms that have ever lived on the earth, and “there would still be enough room left for all the information in every book ever written”

DNA in our cells is very similar to an intricate computer program. A computer program is made up of a series of ones and zeros (called binary code). The sequencing and ordering of these ones and zeros is what makes the computer program work properly.

In the same way, our DNA is made up of four chemicals, abbreviated as letters A, T, G, and C. Much like the ones and zeros, these letters are arranged in the human cell like this: CGTGTGACTCGCTCCTGAT and so on. The order in which they are arranged instructs the cell’s actions.

What is amazing is within the tiny space in every cell in your body, this code is three billion letters long!!

It has been determined that 99.9% of your DNA is similar to everyone’s genetic makeup.What is uniquely you comes in the fractional difference in how those three billion letters are sequenced in your cells.

Who placed this working code, inside the cell? God did! We are so unique and special we cannot even fathom or take it for granted how God made us and how much of a miracle we are!

John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus came to give us life (eternal life) and life more abundantly – full and overflowing. The thief is not always the enemy of our soul but our mindsets, our beliefs in how we were raised or from our environment. If we are kept from learning the truth from the Word of God, we lack the potential of being a life full of abundance.

The description of the thief : Unstable – riding the fence – selfish purposes, and for the ruin of the flock.

The thief is not only the adversary of our soul but a mindset- Bad principles are the root of bad practices.

In my 20’s – pregnant and barefoot – learning how to love and give

30’s – felt a breath of fresh air – just started to have my time – thinking about career yet still parenting – lots of up and downs parenting

At any age, remember it’s a process – each experience takes us one step closer to our purpose on our spiritual journey if you let it.

As mother’s we also are more nurturer – the ability to care and want to help others. All women and men are born with this but depending on how you were raised and your environment will determine if that grows and matures into a loving person, a giving person, and of course a godly person.

By human nature we are selfish beings but some quickly learn or takes a lifetime to learn that being selfish will lead you down a path of regret and even loneliness with the decisions and choices you make in life.

Treasure the time you have with your children – your ministry is with your children.

Living Intentional:

Always improve yourself (readers are leaders – you become what books you read or TV programs you watch) Growth should be invited and welcome and that means Constance change.

Don’t feel fulfilled in your Spiritual Walk? Habits, Environment, Time of change to surround yourself with Christian people – go to church – be involved – be the person who others want to follow (you are the average of the top 5 people you hang around with) AND do you know the number one problem or pet peeve you may have with someone is something in yourself you have and want to change but don’t know it?

Tired of being stuck in a rut? Be willing to change and be teachable

Want others to treat you better? Improve your people skills – be kind, smile, be friendly

Want children to improve? Improve your actions

Tired of being frustrated or irritated – Improve your gratitude, volunteering to those less fortunate

Tired of not having money or living in debt? Reduce your lifestyle that is conducive to your income or switch jobs – find another type of income that doesn’t effect the family time

Wanting success and fulfillment? Serving others

Angry of Life’s Circumstances or being a product of your environment whether in the past or now? Work through those issues to create a better you to help others. Don’t stuff and get bitter but get better, God has given you this incredible ability to rise above the hand that may have been dealt to you. We don’t just say get over the past, but use it as a stepping-stone to help others.

We all have a purpose in life and the quicker we can find our purpose the fulfilled we become. We don’t reach a magic destination but it’s a progress on our journey. As a mother, as a pastor, as a teacher, as a photographer, as a counselor, as a Jesus lover, as a wife, as your friend, I am here to help you find abundant living!

Know you are important, know you are created by God for a unique purpose because the DNA you contain is the Word of God, therefore you have the ability to create a world of abundant living with intentional living!

Many people may never find their purpose in life. I want to help others find a healthy lifestyle in all areas of their life. I want others to find abundant living. I don’t want to coast or have chaos in my life especially as I reach a place in my life where I need to be enjoying being a grandparent. How about you? Do you know your purpose? Let me help you.

It takes only 21 days to make a new habit but 90 days to stop an old one! As we approach 2016, do you have habits that determine your success in life, in business even your spiritual? I recently stumbled upon an article that I wanted to share with you that determines if you succeed or fail for the new year. I know I have written down some new years resolutions and I am going to try to make new habits.

Did you know our daily habits define who you are. You are practically what you do as well as you are what you eat. In the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal — it is the courage to continue that counts.” If you have ever failed in the past but never gave up, you are stronger than you think.

If you have failed recently and are considering giving up, don’t. The obstacle is definitely the way. There will always be a way out. You just haven’t found it yet. Keep on trying. Find out why and how you got stuck, and dig yourself out of the temporary setback. Unfortunately, most people refuse to do something about their failures. In the end, they give up on their dreams and stop working on projects that matter to them and continue to wallow in discontent.

Everyone fears to fail, experiencing it is inevitable, but it’s your response to it that makes all the difference. Don’t get stuck. You are not your failure. These are a few of the many habits that could guarantee your failure — and what you can do about them.

1. Failing to plan

You have a better chance to succeed in life if you have a plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists but those who get stuff done. You should always think through whatever you want to achieve and make plans on what to do next at any point in time. You plans should be specific, measurable and time-bound. A complete big picture prepares you for execution. Don’t make vague plans. You will be prone to procrastinate if your plan is not measurable. Work with timelines for better and faster results.

2. The fear to even try

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky could not have said that any better. You can only make progress if you take a step. Overcoming the fear of failing is the first step towards success. Start confronting your fears today. And take even the most basic step towards what you have to do. Remember the dream you were too scared to chase? It’s still not too late to give it a try. Never miss an opportunity to try.

“No matter how many mistakes you make, or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” — Tony Robbins.

3. Giving up too soon

How persistent are you about pursuing your dreams and goals in life? One of the most important secrets of success is learning to conquer your doubts. Most of us give up on our passion too soon. Every successful person you know today has a perseverance story to share. There is probably no better example of persistence than the story of Abraham Lincoln.

He failed in business at 21, lost a legislative race at age 22, failed in business again at 24 and lost a congressional race when he was 34. At 45 he lost a senatorial race. And he failed in an attempt to become Vice President when he was 47. But he was finally elected President of the United States at age 52. Lincoln never quit. He could have given up after several attempts but pursued his ambition to assume the highest office in America. There is no substitute for persistence. As long as you are still actively trying after every failure, you have not failed yet.

4. Disbelief

If you don’t believe in what you do, you will give up at some point. If you have no reason to believe it’s possible to achieve your dreams or goals, all the effort you are putting into it will be wasted. You mind’s unconscious beliefs plays a significant role in the amount of effort you put into your life’s work. If you don’t see a successful outcome, you won’t push yourself further to get there. Your progress depends on your decision to try knowing that you will overcome your failures and rise above them.

5. Making excuses

There will always be a reason why it can’t be done. People constantly explain away why they couldn’t, shouldn’t, didn’t, or simply wouldn’t do something. When you make excuses, you are simply saying, “I’m not in control.” But guess what — you are the only person who is fully in control of your actions and decisions in the world. Making excuses robs you of your personal power.

People make excuses because of the fear of the unknown. Others are just afraid of change, rejection and embarrassment. Fear locks you in your comfort zone. And nothing magical or remarkable happens in your safe zone. You can stop making excuses if you learn how to eliminate all traces of fear from your life. The next time you experience a setback, don’t make an excuse. See it as a challenge, learn from it and move on. Excuses are distractions, and they reduce your confidence and self-belief. You don’t want that — especially when you still have a lot to show the world.

Do you believe in survivalist in what they do when it comes to end time prophecy? Do you believe the end is near? Of course we have signs of the times and many predictions have come and gone, nevertheless it seems more and more signs are appearing. October 2015 seems to be again the predictions of what to watch for…the Blood Moon for one which just recently took place. Upon this review, although we know not when the Lord Jesus shall return only God does, this review upon the end days state January 2017 is a time in history where we will never forget.

My mother has a friend who is always constantly watching preaching on end times. She is an older lady who has been a Christian many years and has retired from her job. She doesn’t leave her home much only to go to buy more and more food and supplies to survive to get ready for the years of heartache for she calls herself the “watchman”. She believes we should be storing up food, water and supplies because of the great tribulation coming. Although she doesn’t believe Christians will go through the tribulation because Jesus will rapture us out, she believes however we will go through hard times for a bit beforehand. She has told mom several times that a great earthquake or natural disaster will happen leaving us as Americans to turn to God again for help as a nation. She talks about the economy as well as the market crashing and how money will be obsolete. She believes she is helping by telling people to get ready for survival during this time. She truly believes we are on the edge of the end and can’t understand why preachers are not preaching this message.

My husband and I have been in ministry for over 30 years. We have seen over the years how the Dooms Day Message has effected people in general. Remember Y2K? Although we should live our lives prepared however we are not in promoting fear or entertaining people with the thought of provoking people to turn their lives over to God so they can escape the wrath of God. My prayers that everyone would be saved and that during this dispensation of grace, that people would turn to God in love for a relationship between God and human creation. I want people to fall in love with a loving God, knowing that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins but alive again in resurrection so all could believe in Him, receive Him, live for Him and promote abundant living in Him. He is our one and only hope of glory in salvation.

I believe that God will always protect his people. He loves us. His judgment will be upon the unbelievers and those who turn away from him. As a born again believer, filled with His Spirit I know I am saved and I will be protected. As of the days of Noah, he took Noah and his family out before one rain drop fell, and as in the days of Lot, God pulled Lot out before one fire hailstone fell on Sodom and Gomorrah.

I will not promote fear but I will at least post this information for those who wish to read it. I received an email the other day about this particular topic and its thought-provoking so I thought I would share.

5 myths about a nuclear attack most people believe and how following common knowledge can get you killed

How to react in the first hours of a nuclear attack in order to minimize exposure to radiation. You will also learn how to cope with radiation sickness and help those around you how are suffering from it.

How to find clean water and recognize edible foods so you and your family will be well fed and safe during such an attack

How to turn your home into an atomic shelter using common and cheap items so you won’t have to leave the safety of your house and expose yourself to radiation

Psychological preparation so you and your loved ones can keep a clear mind and focus on surviving and thriving the apocalypse

The different types of chemical weapons and how to identify them: In the first moments of a chemical attack it is vital to identify what just hit you and how to minimize the effects on your body

How to create a survival plan for you and your family based on cutting edge military science. This will ensure everybody knows what to do and how to do it fast is this terrible scenario unfolds

How to create survival gear for chemical attacks using household items. This information is vital if you lack the right equipment and there is no time to get it.

You’ll discover how to prevent your food and medicine from spoiling even if you have to give up the luxury of using a refrigerator.

There are 7 MUST-HAVE medicine supplies that can get you through any disaster and I will show you how much to store and where.

Most importantly I’ll show you how to keep your family hidden and safe when the EMP strikes so that hungry and violent looters and invaders won’t even notice your presence.

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So let me know your thoughts and what you think in the comments below. What is your opinion about the End of Days? Fearful, hopeful? Leave me a comment!

Have you ever looked up your name before? I highly suggest before you name your baby please look it up. I know not too many people take that time to find out more but I do think it is important because it seems that my family has all lived out their name.

My name Melissa means “honeybee”. Quite fitting I might add. I am busy as a bee going from one thing to the next, flying around being the social bug that I am. I love sweets and honey too I might add. In Ireland it is sometimes used as a feminine form of the Gaelic male name Maoilíosa, which means “servant of Jesus.” My name was very popular during the decades from the 1960s through the 1990s, today Melissa is somewhat of a rare baby name; in 2010, fewer than 2,500 girls were given the name. So that leaves me very unique! As an English given name, Melissa has been used since the 18th century, wow so I have a name who is old and unique. In Persian, it means “red rose.” and from the Urban dictionary :

Melissa meaning:
A very beautiful person inside and out.
Will always make you laugh and give you a hug before you even know you need one!
Can be some what blunt. But at least you know she is truthful. Very sweet and easy to talk to. Loves the color pink and loves her family more than anything else!
High morals. She sets her own ground.

Melissa has everything in pink! (Which I find it kind of ironic I named my blog for my Plexus Business “thinkpinkgirl”. YOU CAN CHECK it out here. www.thinkpinkgirl.wordpress.com

People with this name have a deep inner desire to use their abilities in leadership, and to have personal independence. They would rather focus on large, important issues, and delegate the details. People with this name tend to be idealistic, highly imaginative, intuitive, and spiritual. They seek after spiritual truth and often find it. They tend to be visionary and inspire others.

My middle name is Ann. My grandmother didn’t like the name Melissa so she called me Ann. In fact most of my mothers side of the family called me Ann. Here is what Ann means: Ann \a-nn\ as a girl’s name is pronounced an. The origin of the name Ann is Hebrew the meaning of Ann is “He (God) has favored me” ,Gracious, Merciful,

Now for the rest of my family. I pulled from different resources so don’t think I made all this up! lol

Jeffery Martin : Gift of Peace : People with this name have a deep inner desire to use their abilities in leadership, and to have personal independence. They would rather focus on large, important issues, and delegate the details. This name has very independent nature, yet you are friendly, approachable, and generous. You can be a spontaneous, expressive, and talkative person. Generally you are good-natured, though at times you can be rather blunt and sarcastic. You like to do things on the spur of the moment without planning or prior arrangements. Your spirits are buoyed up greatly by encouragement and appreciation. (Before he was adopted by the Phillips family, now if we look at Jeff’s name given at birth was Howard : Middle English origin, meaning “sheep herder”) Now looking at his profession of being a pastor I believe his name has played out well.

Lyle Benjamin: The name Lyle is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Lyle is:The island or from the island. From Old French ‘L’isle’. The name Lyle in American the meaning of the name Lyle is: The island or from the island. People with this name have a deep inner desire for travel and adventure, and want to set their own pace in life without being governed by tradition. People with this name tend to be passionate, compassionate, intuitive, romantic, and to have magnetic personalities. They are usually humanitarian, broad-minded and generous, and tend to follow professions where they can serve humanity. Because they are so affectionate and giving, they may be imposed on. They are romantic and easily fall in love, but may be easily hurt and are sometimes quick-tempered. Benjamin: Son of right hand, People with this name have a deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated. People with this name are excited by change, adventure, and excitement. They are dynamic, visionary and versatile, able to make constructive use of freedom. They fight being restricted by rules and conventions. They tend to be optimistic, energetic, intelligent, and to make friends easily. They may be changeable, restless, untidy, and rebellious.

Bryson Roth: It is Welsh origin meaning: son of a nobleman, freckled, red: People with this name have a deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated. People with this name tend to be creative and excellent at expressing themselves. They are drawn to the arts, and often enjoy life immensely. They are often the center of attention, and enjoy careers that put them in the limelight. They tend to become involved in many different activities, and are sometimes reckless with both their energies and with money. You have a natural interest in the welfare of your fellow-man, and a desire to help and serve others in a humanitarian way. You are responsible and generous, although somewhat scattering and disorganized at times. Any jobs requiring systematic and conscientious effort, or involving any form of drudgery, dismay you. In your work, you would seek a position offering self-expression through contact with people, such as sales or teaching, or a position giving scope to your creative, artistic talents.You are good-natured and likeable, and people tend to confide in you and seek your advice in personal problems.Others sense your sincere interest and desire to help, and you can always be counted on to see the bright side of any problem.You enjoy making others happy and you never let your own problems “get you down” for any length of time, even though you do tend to worry too much at times.In close personal relationships you are usually thoughtful and considerate. Health weakness would appear as skin conditions or ailments relative to the liver and tendency to overeat quick-energy foods aggravates any health problems. Roth: nickname for a person with red hair, People with this name are excellent at analyzing, understanding, and learning. Because they live so much in the mind, they tend to be quiet and introspective, and are usually introverts. When presented with issues, they will see the larger picture. Their solitary thoughtfulness and analysis of people and world events may make them seem aloof, and sometimes even melancholy. (It is quite ironic that Bryson has redish hair and in his beard and from time to time has stomach issues when he eats certain foods.)

Jordan Heath:As a name, it comes from the Aramaic Yarden, meaning “one who descends” In Hebrew the meaning of the name Jordan is: To flow down. Flowing down. People with this name have a deep inner need for quiet, and a desire to understand and analyze the world they live in, and to learn the deeper truths. People with this name are competent, practical, and often obtain great power and wealth. They tend to be successful in business and commercial affairs, and are able to achieve great material dreams. Because they often focus so strongly on business and achievement, they may neglect their private lives and relationships. Heath: Untended land where flowering shrubs grow. Your name of Heath gives you a clever mind, good business judgment, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation of the finer things of life.Home and family mean a great deal to you and it is natural that you should desire the security of a peaceful, settled home environment where you can enjoy the companionship of family and friends.Whatever you set out to accomplish you do your very best to complete in accordance with what you consider to be right.In the home you assume your responsibilities capably, having the self-confidence to form your own opinions and make your own decisions.Others can rely on you; once you have given your word you will do your utmost to fulfill a responsibility.

Spencer Edward: The male name Spencer means ‘steward’ or ‘dispenser of supplies’. The first name of Spencer creates a shrewd, aggressive, business nature, intent on personal gain.The desires for independence and financial success have been strong motivating forces from early in your life.You are capable of logical and analytical thinking along practical business lines, and could excel in financial fields, law, or politics.You have definite executive and leadership abilities, however others may find you to be rather forceful and uncompromising.More congenial business and personal relationships would result from being more tactful and more aware of the needs of others.Your name of Edward gives you self-assurance, independence, and confidence. You have depth of mind and the ability to concentrate and to follow a line of thought to a logical conclusion. Your love of challenging the concepts of others invariably leads you to create your own ideas and to pioneer new lines of thought.Your strong characteristic of individuality qualifies you as a leader.You must be independent and you do not brook interference in any way.Although you do not tolerate interference in your own affairs, this characteristic does not prevent you from interfering in the affairs of others.You are usually either telling or showing someone how to do something properly.Although you are good-natured and never intend offence, still your blunt, direct, and candid manner of expression strains friendships; your honesty and sincerity earn respect from others.You have to be your own boss as it is most difficult for you to submit to direction from others. (This would explain his leadership/management skills!)

Annalise Roth: Graced with God’s bounty, gracious and pledged to God. Is happiest when expressing in some creative, artistic way, and not conforming to strict routine, you are expressive, witty, and quite charming. Drawn to the arts. They are deep, philosophical, and refined, with extremely sensitive nature. If not careful, people take advantage of the generous nature. They find the beauties of nature, fine music, art, and literature–all the deeper things of life–inspiring but crave affection and understanding, analyzing people. (We will see how this plays out, since she is only 8 weeks old 🙂 )

He was in a crowd of people in which he really didn’t know them. A few of them had dogs, small cute dogs. The Boa Constrictor snake moved in and out of the people. The snake knew Jeff could see him. The snake was more interested in the people’s little dogs. Now the snake normally would wrap around its pray to squeeze it to death but this snake would just open its mouth and with one big swallow gulp right over top the dog. This surprised Jeff to see such atrocious event. Jeff had our dog Roxie with him and Roxie was barking at the snake. The snake moved about his business without paying any attention to our dog Roxie or Jeff.

Now here is my thought interpretation on this dream…

Dogs in this dream meant loyal friends or loyalty. The snake especially a large one moving among the people represents a lie, a large deadly lie. This lie passes through the crowd , although all the dogs was barking noticing the snake and barking at it, exposing it, the people were in awe without even realizing the danger of the lie. They just stood there looking at the snake. In other words, people see the lie, look at it and watch it. It can spread very quickly through people. They hear the loyalty warning yet they just stand to see what the lie does. The lie is deadly. The lie will gulp down the loyalty, killing it. Loyalty is swallowed up by a lie.

I look at this dream to pray against lies. I hate lies. I hate gossip. I hate what lies can do. The lie no matter how big or small will move though people. It kills what is most treasured. Dead loyalty is a trust issue. When a person believes a lie, the trust is broken, the friendship is dead the loyalty is erased. The warning is heard barking danger but instead of running from the lie and removing oneself from the crowd, they ponder to look at the lie. The lie then strikes and the deadly result leaves one standing alone and hurt, lost without his friend. His loyalty is swallowed up and the trust is no longer there. Instead of love, only sadness remains.

What can you do when you are confronted by a large snake (lie) that moves through the people? You will hear the warning. Your loyalty will make known the danger. You run from it. The lie may not stop but don’t let it consume you or your friends. Find out the truth don’t kill others.

Don’t be caught in the middle of the crowd but run from the lie whose result will be death.

Will you help me pray against the lies that move through the church, through families, through our government?

New Living Translation
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

You may be thinking, what does carp and grouse have in common? Well I am not talking about a fish in the water but a term. I am not talking about a small bird but a term. Both of the words have similarities. Carp means to moan, grumble, find fault, grouse, nag, carry on, complain, Grouse means to gripe, object, protest, grumble or complain. When you look at the fish and the bird, You can be a small Carp or a really big Carp but the fact is you are still a Carp who likes to live in muddy waters and feed off the bottom of the lake. You determine how big you want to be. Grouse don’t fly very high, very fast and live most of their life on the ground in a limited area. I used the carp and the grouse loosely since it was a term I thought befitting to the Scripture, not in any way down grading God’s creations. 🙂

So if we look at it this way upon the terms: Do not complain, grumble, nag, find fault in others, pass judgement, belittle, laugh at, ridicule, express disapproval because if we do, people will do the same to us. So we shouldn’t be a Carp or a Grouse!

Today I read from Matthew 7 and Romans 8:. I should not criticize, so I won’t criticize. Others will treat you as you teat them. How can we help each other if we criticize?

What does criticize mean? Express disapproval of somebody or something or give considered opinion on something, and the synonyms are disapprove of, condemn, pass judgment on, complain, find fault in, belittle, laugh at, ridicule, or complain, moan, or grumble.

…because the way that you judge others will be the way that you will be judged, and you will be evaluated by the standard with which you evaluate others.

It is a never-ending circle. So how do we break this circle? We stop judging, complaining, finding fault in others, stop ridiculing or expressing our opinion on how we think things should be in that person’s life. If we don’t, it will continue. If we continue to talk about others, the judgement of the law says people will continue to talk about us. You may be thinking, “Well I don’t care what others say about me”. Although this is true, most of us want a good reputation.

Our lips must be governed by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. Christians are brethren…to break God’s commands, is to speak evil of others, and to judge them, as if they laid too great a self-control upon us. We have the law of God, which is a rule to all; let us not presume to set up our own notions and opinions as a rule to others but not ourselves and let us be careful that we be not condemned by our own mouth.

So with this said, Lord there should be only kindness and well as truth and justice come from my mouth. To do otherwise is a sin and we are condemned by our own mouth. Unprofessed sin will condemn and the un-renewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the law, requires inward obedience.

By the Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart.

The favor of God, the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit in which believers seek and do.

Which way do our thoughts move with most pleasure?

What are our plans and motives? Do we do things or say things that are wise for our soul or flesh? Those who do so seek to pleasure themselves and are dead. However a sanctified soul is living and that life is peace. If we are living in peace or turmoil should speak for itself if we are truly speaking good or evil. Love or carp and grouse.

The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but hostile itself with aggression or anger.

The carnal man may, by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal mind never can; that must be broken and driven out.

We may know our real state and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not. We should not be in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his precepts and example.

So today Lord, I want to declare and teach me to watch what I say about others with the rule in mind, I will not talk about others in a way if they were sitting there with me, that I would do otherwise. I don’t want to be a Carp or a Grouse!

I set here thinking where did time go this last year. Oh my, so much has transpired I hardly know where to start. I believe I am just tired at times and need a break from life, the mood swings, the sorrows and the transitions. I need a week on the beach! The first of the year started with my eating habits and weight loss, which I might add is still working. I have found myself starting to straggle back again to the colas and put on a few extra pounds back in stress eating. I think everyone this time of the year starts reflecting on the past year and wished they could have done some things different in actions, thoughts and spiritual walk, however we also must look at the celebrations and victories we have come through.

I still meet with several families in counseling from time to time adding new people and trying to help with their problems while facing situations of my own. I think most people look at our leadership position and hold us at a higher level although we also struggle with daily thoughts, life’s circumstances and family issues too. We are normal human beings with thoughts, feelings and situations of life just like anyone else. I think what holds us up is the faith we put in Jesus Christ on a day-to-day basis. No it is not easy, no it is not always glory or fun, no it is not always easy being transparent but it is life in Him that gives us peace and hope for the future. I love helping people find the answers in Jesus. I can’t fix anyone’s life or marriage but I can point them to the direction in whom they can find answers. It all boils down to a choice and His word, finding those tools to help and searching for relationship in Him.

What does this year hold? It would be dumb to wish for it not to be better than last year for sure with the least amount of transitions and struggles. It has not been unbearable with my blood pressure rising, the boys moving out of the house, the relationship break ups we all have endured, but the truth is that through all the suffering of the year, it has made us stronger. I am thankful for being stronger. I am thankful that God is making and pruning and refining us into what He wants us to be and to be more like Him. It takes grace and mercy. It takes trust and faith. Most of all it takes His love and leaning on Him daily to find His heart to work for His Kingdom.

I think the hardest part in this past year is just dealing with people who purposely judge us and want to cause us harm because of their disagreements or opinions. We have tried our best to continue to show our vision in reaching the lost but there have been those who cannot or refuse to see it. I don’t blame them or hold grudges against them. I am sorrowed they want to hurt us for following God’s vision. We have done nothing to deserve it or done nothing wrong in God’s eyes as far as sin, could we have done something different, maybe. I know God is refining them through their hurt feelings too. With my temperament, I think the greatest disappointment is knowing people continue to make accusations against us without knowing or wanting to know all the details in our decisions. It is a religious judgmental attitude that has been since the time of Jesus day and we all must work through it. Sometimes I just see myself as tired of it all and ready for a change. God has it all under control. I am sorry for the hurt or for the misunderstandings people have had to deal with because of our leadership decisions. I wish the best for all people and want the best for them. Break ups are always hard to do but it doesn’t mean the friendships should end.

What does 2013 hold? We will never know until we walk through it. I am sure there will be ups and down as well as successes. God has a plan, a plan to prosper us in all areas of our life. I stand on the Word of God and His promises. I pray for my enemies, I bless those who refuse to bless us, I will love those who think they are unloveable and I will continue to give to the Kingdom of God, do His work and produce fruit in showing in whom I belong to. We may be the only Jesus people see. I start with 2013 in being thankful for a year in Him who gives me strength in all areas of this life He has blessed me with!

What does the year hold for you? Are you ready to make changes in your life?